Monday, March 9

Males of a number of warbler species sing only one regular song, so that individuals can be identified by ear or sonagram. For example, this Kentucky Warbler was recorded in May, 2007 at Glassboro WMA in New Jersey, and (possibly the same bird) again in May, 2008.

2007

2008

Another Kentucky Warbler at the same location (May)

These Worm-eating Warblers were singing at the same location (Glassboro WMA, NJ) on the same day in May, showing the amount of variation between different males.

The Worm-eating Warbler uncommonly gives a more extended song with a mixture of clear notes and trills, the so-called flight song. It may also be given during episodes of agitation or excitement, as this recording was made while observing a foraging family group (parents plus fledglings), with alarm chips, flight calls and twitters also being heard (June, NJ).

time scale reduced

A different bird, in flight and agitated near a recently depredated nest (June, NJ).

Individuals of the following species also sing only one song:

Kirtland's Warbler (May, MI).

Nashville Warblers apparently sing a faster song at dawn that may function as a second category song. The regular slower version of the song is sung during the day and in interactions with females (BNA).regular song (July, ME)

Tennessee Warblers sing a usually 3-parted song(migrant, May, ND)

(migrant, May, ND)

Orange-crowned Warbler (June, AK)

Wilson's Warbler (June, AK)

Wilson's Warbler extended song (BNA states there is no evidence for an extended or flight song; this may be plastic song by a migrant, May, PA).

Note that there is another less commonly heard song type that sounds very similar to a Worm-eating Warbler or Chipping Sparrow.

Yellow-throated Warbler; the birds I listened to at Belleplain State Forest, NJ in mid-April, 2009 would on occasion add an accent to the end of the song (dominica ssp).

accented

The birds on Bull's Island, NJ are of the albilora subspecies (May, NJ).

Individuals of the following species sing only one song during the day but in addition have a distinct extended or flight song, which is usually given in flight at dusk, but can also be heard from perched birds.

Common Yellowthroat (July, ME)

Common Yellowthroat males often rise into the air briefly and sing a complex flight song. This one has a least seven different components (July, PA).

reduced time scale

A shorter version (Aug, PA)

Ovenbird (Apr, NJ)

Ovenbird flight song (also termed attenuated song). In this case the so-called flight song of the Ovenbird was given by a walking bird that appeared to be under stress by my presence close to a nest (May, NJ).

reduced time scale

This is the second half of a true Ovenbird flight song, as the bird descended to the ground (10 minutes after sunset, June, NJ).

Peterson Field Guide to Bird Sounds of Eastern North America. Nathan Pieplow, 2017. Highly recommended, includes almost all known vocalizations of eastern US birds, with spectrograms and detailed analysis. Excellent!

Stokes Field Guide to Bird Song, Eastern Region, by Lang Elliot. 3 CDs. Of commercial recordings, this has the most comprehensive collection of songs and calls.

The Birds of North America Online (BNA). Comprehensive information on all aspects of life history, including audio and video. By subscription.

The Singing Life of Birds. Donald Kroodsma, Houghton Mifflin, 2005. Terrific book (plus CD), a must read.

The Songs of Wildbirds. Lang Elliott., Houghton Mifflin, 2005. Excellent photos with high quality recordings including some rare ones such as the flight song of the Western Meadowlark.

The Sound Approach to Birding. A guide to understanding bird sound. A. van de Berg, M Constantine, M. Robb. Superb discussion of bird calls and song with 2 CDs.